August 2026 Furtle - Fettle Those Finishes Update

August Review / Furtle

As defined by Mini Archie, ‘Furtling’ means ‘having a rummage, a delve, a look at the contents of something’. So I have furtled around to see what I have been doing this month and now I’m going to furtle around the blogs of anyone else who links up over at Archie the Wonder Dog!

-Janine at Rainbow Hare on 2/28/2019

To socialize with my online crafty friends I'm linking up with Mini-Archie, one of my favorite online personalities, and his person for the monthly progress link-up from Fettle Those Finishes! 

Continuing weekly stats here for possibly linking up once a month with Kate at Life In Pieces. My 2021-2024 goal was to stitch at least 15-minutes 50% of the days in the year. 2025 and forward, the goal is any number of minutes in a day for 50% of the year since the puppy is still under 2-years old he's a handful and I want as much time to enjoy him. 

• Week 31: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 95 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 32: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 87 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 33: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 132 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 34: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 162 minutes/day average across 7-days
• Week 35: 7 of 7 = 100 %
• 132 minutes/day average across 5-days
• Week 36: 1 of 1 = 100 %
• 33 minutes/day average across 1-day
• August 31 of 31 = 100 %
• 2026: 240 of 243 = 99 %

August has been all about finishing 3 of 4 quilts entered into the local quilt show. There is already one quilt completed. The dogs and hubby have tolerated my focus since I still have made sure to take care of their needs. 

Focus continues slowly on my projects planned in 2026 see my Furtle planning post HERE.  

Projects Half Done Progress update:

There were 53 projects already started before January 1, 2026 (up from 52 in 2025). The below screenshot of my projects from the spreadsheet provided (and a little expanded) by QuiltingGail is my 'official' list with reference numbers used throughout the year.

As of August 31st, 13 projects have been completed (Blue Highlight), 2 UFO's and 11 new projects. 3 projects completed in August (Green Highlight on completion Date), 0 UFO's and 3 new projects. 5 projects progressed in August (Pink Highlight), 2 UFO's and 3 new projects. 

How did sewing go?

August Projects Completed:

1) Provided EQ8 design support for the Guild Member in charge of the Exchange Blocks Program. She asked for back-up on calculating yardage needed for different options. No photos as it's not my design to share. 2027 Honeybees Exchange Planning Assistance is 2026 Project 18 completed in 59-minutes.

2) Rainbow Connection Sampler quilt is completely done and ready for the Quilt Show drop off with 14.5-days remaining. All the hand stitching finishing touches are done. All the water erase marking lines are gone. The hanging sleeve and label are in place. It’s so satisfying to have had an idea for 8 beautiful blocks by a friend and made them into a quilt within a month from 22-July to 21-August 2026. This quilt will be judged and hung in the show this year then next year will be donated to the Show’s Silent Auction to benefit a charity. Rainbow Connection Sampler is 2026 Project 17 completed in 17-hours and 45-minutes (not including the block creation). 

3) Tiny Tumbling Triangles is completely done and ready for the Quilt Show drop off on September 5th. All the hand stitching finishing touches are done and the hanging sleeve creases have been removed. This 14" quilt was started on March 4th and finished 5.5-months later. I’ve wanted to make this pattern for 9-years, I’ve had the Studio 180 pattern and V-Block ruler for that long in my stash. I’m so thrilled that I could use the fabric my Aunt bought at my parent’s Fabric Store in the 1970’s and gave to me when she cleaned out her closet. It’s nostalgic for me because I remember it in the store. When the call came out to save the Miniature Quilt category at the show this year with at least 12 entries, I thought immediately of this pattern and found that the smallest size (1" triangles) would fit the description. I'm so proud to have completed this one to keep the category going. Tiny Tumbling Triangles is 2026 Project 6 completed in 85-hours and 35-minutes.

August Projects Progressed:

1) Easy Breezy - A few more Leader-Ender Blocks cut and assembly in progress. No new photos. Have 109 Blocks estimated to have 59% of the components to create the flimsy.

2) Alchemy - some more time spend on sewing Rows 1 and folding hexies for Row 3. Almost done preparing the darkest fabrics into segments to sew onto the medallions and finish the 'traveling' portion of Row 1. Previously completed Row 1 shape image for fun. 

3) Love this larger version of the Tumbling Triangles quilt to show off my ability to work in the small and throw sized. OMG target milestone achieved by end of August: Quilt binding added to sides from front. Corners will be done later. Tuesday night is quilt guild meeting, so it will probably take until Wednesday evening to get the corners secured. Show drop off in 4.5 days. Remaining steps include secure the binding corners, hand sew binding to back, hand add label (already made), sleeve make and add, and then marking clean-up. Treasured Tumbling Triangles is 2026 Project 7 in progress for 74-hours and 25-minutes estimated to be 93% complete.

4) Received back the blocks and played around a little to plan the layout of the Quilt Guild's 2026 Exchange, here's the image of what I was thinking back in June using EQ8, 2026 Project 13:

5) After watching an EPP basting for a Dear Jane quilt sew along from ~7-years ago, I tried a new method for curved thread basting. A 2-pass strategy: first pass create gathering stitches and second pass smooth down the fabric edge then baste the fabric to the paper. Left is old gather-only stitches where Right is new 2-pass strategy. The 2-pass strategy is much more satisfying and there’s a process for removing the stitches after appliqueing the piece down. Happy As A Clamshell is 2026 Project 15 in progress for 2-hours and 49-minutes.

August Stats:

• 3 Completed
• 5 Progressed
• 51 UFO's remaining
• 7 2026 started projects remaining

What did you get done in August?

End of August Focus 5:

1. Treasured Tumbling Triangles, 2026 Project 7 - Finish for the Quilt Show drop off on Saturday, September 5th.
2. Alchemy, 2026 UFO 6 - Month 3 glue basting of the medallion centers is available if there's time.
3. Mending, New project - Husband's shirt needs a decorative applique, laptop strap pad needs a cover on one side, several towels need to be mended, re-mend a pair of my workout pants and mend a sewing supplies bag handle.
4. Prepare for new guild quilt workshop on October 5th - Geeky Bobbin's Orbital will be a new project.
5. Happy as a Clamshell, 2026 Project  15 - Continue with the new method for thread basting EPP curbed shapes, Clamshells and Half-Circles.

Link-Ups:
* Mini Archie's August 2026 Furtle Around The Blogosphere as #3

* Ms P Designs - August PHD in 2026 as #1